Pm S Decision Azmin On Anwar S Exclusion From Economic Council

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Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said the decision to form the Economic Action Council (EAC) is under the prerogative of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad

He said this in response to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's exclusion from the 16-member council given that he once held the finance portfolio
Anwar is also Mahathir's designated successor
“This is the prime minister's decision. I am confident that in the process of discussion to garner input and feedback, we will engage with many stakeholders including youth and business communities
“This is just a small committee tasked with collecting information from interested parties so that we can hold our first meeting and establish the parameters. From here, we will go to the ground and discuss with those involved,” he added
Asked if the EAC's findings would be disclosed to Anwar, the minister replied: “All are involved in the discussion.”The PKR deputy president was speaking to journalists after attending the Malaysian Hokkien Association's Chinese New Year celebration in Subang Jaya this afternoon
Meanwhile, Azmin also reportedly said the EAC is well represented by credible personalities who are experts in their field
"They have wide experience in many areas and they will continue to engage with stakeholders so we can formulate and draw up immediate and long-term strategies to resolve some of the compelling issues," he added
At a separate function earlier, Azmin denied veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin's claim that the council was formed because Mahathir was not pleased with the performance of his cabinet ministers
Apart from Mahathir and Azmin, other members of the council are former minister Rafidah Aziz and former Bank Negara chairperson Zeti Akthar Aziz
The rest are Lim Guan Eng (Finance Minister), Darell Leiking (International Trade and Industry Minister), Baru Bian (Works Minister), Muhammed Abdul Khalid (Economic adviser to the prime minister), Jomo Kwame Sundaram (Council of Eminent Persons member), Tay Ah Lek (Public Bank managing director), Hasnita Hashim (Mara chairperson), Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen (Bursa Malaysia chairperson), Mohd Munir Abdul Majid (Asean Business Advisory Council, Malaysia chairperson), Paul Selvaraj (Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations chief executive officer) Bah Tony @ Amani William Hunt Abdullah (Lawyer) and Nizam Mahshar (Insitut Masa board of trustee member). - Mkini

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